Hotly debated proposal for teen curfew to be voted on by City Council

Forget about being grounded. Beginning next week, Oakland’s young people could be violating city laws if they’re not home on time. In response to the spike in violence by and against youth, the city council will be voting this Tuesday on a proposal to implement a citywide teen curfew.

Written by Senior Policy Advisor for Public Safety Reygan Harmon, and being pushed forward by council president Larry Reid and council member Ignacio De La Fuente, the proposed ordinance is an effort to reduce crime by curtailing young people’s nighttime loitering.

Called the “Juvenile Protection Curfew,” the proposed ordinance would prohibit minors – anyone under 18 – from being outside anywhere in Oakland between 10 pm and 5 am Sunday through Thursday, and 11:30 pm to 5 am on Friday and Saturday. The ordinance also includes a daytime curfew, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, on school days.

To find out more about the proposed ordinance read the rest of Amina Waheed’s story at Oakland North.